The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) covers the period 2007 – 2013 and pays particular attention to the needs of SMEs. It aims to contribute to the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the Community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable development based on robust economic growth and a highly competitive social market economy with a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. The CIP framework programme was established through Decision number 1639/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 (CIP Decision) and its overarching objectives are:
- fostering the competitiveness of enterprises, in particular of SMEs;
- promoting all forms of innovation including eco-innovation;
- accelerating the development of a sustainable, competitive, innovative and inclusive information society;
- promoting energy efficiency and new and renewable energy sources in all sectors, including transport.
The CIP is composed of three operational pillars, each having their own specific objectives:
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP)
- Better access to finance for SMEs through venture capital investment and loan guarantee instruments
- Business and innovation support services delivered through a network of regional centres
- Promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation
- Support for eco-innovation
- Support for policy-making that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation
The Information Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT-PSP)
- Developing a single European information space and strengthening the European internal market for ICT and ICT-based products and services
- Stimulating innovation through the wider adoption of and investment in ICT
- Developing an inclusive information society and more efficient and effective services in areas of public interest and improving of quality of life
The Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEE)
- Fostering energy efficiency and the rational use of energy sources
- Promoting new and renewable energy sources and energy diversification
- Promoting energy efficiency and the use of new and renewable energy sources in transport
